Fourteen people are facing charges related to an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation at Penn State University.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, who announced the development said 13 of the accused were students at the time of the incident between 2023 and 2024.

Mr Sunday added that the 14th defendant is father of one of the students, accused of hiding drugs and cash in a safe.

Noting that at least four of the individuals charged were current students, investigators identified Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson as senior fraternity members.

Authorities also said the duo were the leaders of operation who supplied cocaine while supplying others cut and packaged the drugs primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses.

“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges. In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities,” Mr Sunday said.

Noting that a variety of tactics to track the individuals involved, including how the cocaine was obtained, packaged and sold, authorities said most of the payments were made in cash or via payment apps.

According to Mr Sunday, four of the defendant, including Mr Abbatiello, Mr Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat were charged with felony corrupt organisations, conspiracy and related offenses.

While the fifth defendant, Robert Zanolla, was charged with felony conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility and related misdemeanor offences, the father, Paul Robinson, was charged with tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation.

Other defendants are student-aged facing misdemeanor counts of possession.

Reacting to the development, the university said it was horrified by the serious allegations against its current and former students.

“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs. “Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organisations.”

The institution noted it would initiate its own investigation into the development, saying it “holds the organization and individuals responsible for misconduct separately from charges filed by law enforcement.”